We’re Here All Year: Championing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
By Team Therapy Smarts
It’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness month! This month, we are looking forward to all the ways that we can engage and discover how people with and without disabilities can join together in order to build stronger communities.
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (or NACDD) has announced that this year’s theme is “We’re Here All Year”, emphasizing that community, accessibility and opportunities for those with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day, not only in March.
With this goal in mind, team Therapy Smarts wanted to shout out some of the incredible organizations in our community that you and your family can support, to contribute to this important mission! We’ll also share how we as a clinic are observing this important month.
L’Arche North Carolina’s mission is to cultivate inclusive communities where those with and without disabilities can come together to thrive. They accomplish this through hosting a diverse array of monthly events where the community can connect and enjoy themselves, together— popular events include times to play, engage with music, cook, craft and volunteer with local nonprofits.
L’Arche is also proud to host group living opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their first home officially opened in October of 2024 and they are continuing to strive to locate and build inclusive, community-driven spaces to elevate everyone’s experience.
Triangle Disability & Autism Services is devoted to creating accessible opportunities where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can thrive. They offer a range of supportive services from day programs, to community events, to support and vocational services.
We were delighted to welcome Tony Hall to our Social Skills Toolbox last year, where he shared more about how Triangle Disability & Autism Services is helping families across our community. For information on their monthly events, you can check out their calendar here.
As well as helping families across the state to find connection and care for children and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the Family Support network of North Carolina provides unique insight— because they are staffed by family members who have the lived experience of caring for someone they love with a disability.
They are proud to offer parent to parent counseling services, education around mental health care and specialized health care needs. Throughout the year, they also offer resource fairs for family seeking support and services for their children.
Building a Collaborative Community
At Therapy Smarts, we are proud to share the inspiring work that others in our community do to uplift the I/DD community. This month, we’ll be reflecting on the ways that we can recognize every member of our community, and we encourage you and your family to do the same, by visiting the NACDD website!
This month, our clinic is excited to participate in Rock Your Socks on March 21st, in observance of World Down Syndrome Day! We look forward to showing off brightly colored mismatched socks as a display of unity and advocacy for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our schools, community, and around the world.